MRF code of practice to be unveiled this summer

The long-awaited code of practice and quality action plan for materials recycling facilities (MRFs) will be published in August, recycling minister Lord Taylor has confirmed.

Lord Taylor reveals summer date for MRF guidance

The minister was speaking today (May 10) at the official opening of Continuum Recycling's plastic bottle reprocessing plant in Hemswell, Lincolnshire - a joint venture between Coca-Cola Enterprises and Eco Plastics.

In announcing the summer timeframe, Lord Taylor said the MRF code of practice would "help drive up recycling rates and maximise the use of our resources".

However, he would not be drawn on whether Defra intended to make the code mandatory or not. Many reprocessors believe the guidance must place obligations on MRF operators if it is to be successful in driving up quality levels for recovered materials.

According to sources close to policy negotiations, ministers and senior government advisors are still at loggerheads on resolving the issue. One source told edieWaste that achieving cross-departmental clearance on a mandatory code "could take a long time".

More will follow on the official opening of the Continuum Recycling facility shortly.